When Colour Takes Shape: Young Children Use Object Information from Their Own Drawings to Solve a Task

In two studies, we examined whether and how 3- and 3½-year-old children were able to use object information from their own drawings to solve a task. The children had to produce drawings of simple objects and then use the shape and/or colour of their pictures to identify replicas of the referents depicted. The results showed a relationship between graphic production and use. In Study 1, when shape was the single distinctive cue across objects, only the older group was able to produce and use drawings effectively. In Study 2, 3-year-olds used their drawings effectively when not only shape, but also colour, were available as cues to identify the objects portrayed. Although most 3-year-olds’ drawings did not reflect the shape of the referents, by incorporating colour young children demonstrated to recognize the intention behind their own representations and used them to solve the task. Our findings are discussed in line with intentionality and Theory of Mind.